Remotely controlled electric switch



Feb. 20,1934. F. B. ADAM 1,948,088

REMOTELY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SWITCH v Filed March 18, 1929 2sheets-sheet 1 /5 [En f/B 3! INVENTOR fa'R/CK B. HDHM Ba/Vu? @aATTORNEY5 Feb. 20, 1934. F B, ADAM 1,948,088

REMOTELY CONTRLLD ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Maron 18, 1929 2 Sheets-sheet 22 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 20,' 1934 PATENT AOFFICE N REMOTELY CONTROLLEDELECTRIC SWITCH Frederick B. Adam, St. Louis, Mo., assigner to FrankAdam Electric Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri ApplicationMarch 18, 1929.

(Cl. 20D-87) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to remotely controlled electric switches. Thedevice herein described is of the type adapted to be closed, and held inf closed position under the influence of an electromagnet and which,upon de-energization of the magnet, is quickly opened `by a combinedspring and gravity action.

An object of my invention is to provide a switch which is of anextremely compact construction,

and the operation of which is exceptionally quiet.

Another object. is to provide means in a remotely operable switch, whichwill permit the armature frame, and parts carried thereby, to be swungclear of their mounting, and thus allow' free access to all the membersfor the purpose of replacement or repair.

A further object lies in a provision of means for preventing any harmfuleffect of the rebound of the varmature frame, which may occur afterinitial contact upon closing the switch. This condition of rebound inthe armature frame and kindred moving elements is the objectionablefeature of existing switches of the class described, and is one of theprincipal causes for sparking and burning of the contacts. These, andother objects and advantages, will appearv from the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a switch constructed in accordance withmy invention, the armature frame being -removed for clearness ofillustration; Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along ,the lines 2-2 ofFig. 1; Fig. 3v is a fragmentary side elevation showing, partly insection, a pre-r.

ferred method of mounting the core memberf Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe armature frame,- movable core, and contacts, with the latterelements sectioned along the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a frontelevation of the main and aux- 0 iliary movable contacts; Fig. 6 is anelevation of a preferred frameV structure and mounting for the movablecore therein: Fig. 7 is a side elevation, showing in detail theauxiliarystationary I contact member, and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a portionof the assembly, and showing the manner and sequence of engagement ofthe contacting members. The aforementioned elements and parts will nowbe more fully described and indicated on the drawings by means ofreference numerals.

An insulating base 10 of bakelite or other suitable material, ispreferably of suiiicient dimensions to accommodate a coil 31, aplurality of fuses, ,as by means of the clips 11, and a fuse u switch12. The switch and fuse, disposed in the Serial No. 347,937

coil circuit, protects the coil against overloads and provides a meansfor opening the coil circuit directly at the switch panel.

A substantially U-shaped laminated iron core 13 is positioned within abase opening 14 and e0 adapted to be cradled between the supporting pins15 which pass through apertures 16 in the members 17 exterior of thecore proper. The pins 15 are firmly secured to the base, and arepreferably of smaller diameter than the apertures 16. This method ofholding permits a slight, though appreciable, movement of the core, thepurpose of which will be hereinafter described. The armature frame,comprising a pair of flat, substantially L-shaped members 18, aligned,and held in spaced relation by means of pins 19 or their equivalent, isadapted to be hinged at one end to a pair of fixed members 20 whichextend outwardly from the base. A movable laminated core 21, preferablyof a shape and construction 75 similar to the stationary core `member13, is, like that member, also cradled in a semi-floating manner bymeans of pins 19 and members 20. The core 21 is aligned with the core 13so that a closed. y magnetic path is formed upon closure of the switch.The loose, or flexible method of holding the core parts permits of thembeing seated firmly against each other and thereby precludes anytendency to chatter caused by improper seating of the core elements. Y

The current carrying members are insulated from the armature frame, andinclude a contact frame 22, a pair of main contacts 23 joined by a4conductor such as 24, and arranged for slight rotation independently ofeach other, and in planes .substantially perpendicular to theircontacting surfaces. The main contacts 23, preferably of heavy gaugestrip copper, are separately mounted on toggle members 25 which, inturn, are pivotally mounted on the Contact frame 22 95 by means of abearing pin 26 extending transversely therethrough. With the switch innormal openposition, the surface of the contact 23, and the surface 28of the contact 29' (see'Figs. l and 3), lie in planes disposed at aslight angle, 100 relative to each other. Closing the switch causes eachmember 23 to engage itsl companion base contact 29 on its outer end ortoe, and to be rotated until the surfaces 27 and 28 substantiallycoincide, or, as may occur in the actual operation of the switch, thecontact 23 may engage the contact 29, in normal switch closed position,only on its inner end portion, or heel. This rotation is opposed bytensional springs 30 disposed between portions of the contact frame andtoggle members, and upon deenergization of the actuating coil 31hereinabove mentioned, the contacting members are quickly forced apartby action of these springs. The recited arrangement provides for asliding or wiping contact, insuring clean surfaces between the members23 and 29.

In addition to the main or principal contacts described above, I preferto equip the device of my invention with a vset of auxiliary contacts 32and 33, in multiple circuit connection with the respective main contacts23 and 29, and so arranged that the circuit will be made and brokenthrough the auxiliary, rather than the main contacts (see Fig. 8).Further, means are provided in certain of the aforementioned auxiliarycontacts to effect a frictional grip upon engaging others thereof, whichprevents rebound of the armature frame.

The contacts 32 consist of a pair of current conducting blocks,preferably of carbon, mounted upon the contact frame 22 and inelectrical connection with -each other and with the main contacts 23,through the frame; The contacts 33 located, preferably, in the indents34, in the base, have blade portions 35 extending into the path oftravel of the blocks 32 and adapted to be displaced by these blocks uponclosure of the switch. Each of the contacts 33 includes an angulatemember 36 having a portion 37 adapted to form a pivot seat for the blade35, and a portion 38 adapted to guide the spring 39 which bears againstthe blade. Each of the members 33 is secured, and connected to one ofthe main xed contacts, by means of screws 40.

With particular reference to Fig. 8, it will be seen that, uponenergizing the coil 31 to close the switch, contact is rst made betweenthe block contacts 32 and the blades 35. After the circuit is initiallycompleted through these auxiliary contacts, the main contacts 23 and 29are brought into engagement and thereafter serve to carry a substantialpart of the current. Upon de-energizing the coil to open the switch, areverse action takes place, the contacts 23 and 29 being completelyseparated before disengagement of the contacts 32 and 35. Thissequential engagement of the main and auxiliary contacts keeps the maincontacts smooth and clean at al1 times; and connes any possible arcingeifect to the auxiliary contacts, which are easily and economicallyreplaceable.

A barrier 41 is preferably molded integrally with the base, and arrangedbetween the main contacts, to obtain a compact disposition of liveparts.

42 indicates a combined stop and latch, the purpose of which is to limitthe outward movement of the armature frame. The element comprises aresilient strip of metal, fastened at one end to the base, and having atthe other end, a hooked portion, adapted to engage the armature frame asby a pin 43, or the equivalent. By displacing the latch member so thatthe hooked portion clears the pin 43, the armature may be rotatedthrough a half circle, thereby making all parts' accessible.-

I am aware that minor changes in the form, construction, andarrangement, and combination of the parts of the switch may be made andsubstituted for those herein shown and described' without departing fromthe nature and principle of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a remote control electromagnetic switch,

a base of moulded material provided with a recess in one face thereof, apivoted contact carrier. main and auxiliary contacts on said carrier, acompanion main contact mounted upon said base, and an auxiliary contactassembly secured in the recess in said base, and having a circuitconnection with said companion main contact, said auxiliary contactassembly including a contact blade, and an angulate pivot seat elementin said recess, adapted to retain the contact blade for pivotal movementtherein.

2. In a remote control electromagnetic switch, a base of mouldedmaterial provided with a pair of spaced recesses in one face, a movablecontact carrier, main and auxiliary contacts carried thereby, maincontacts on said base, and auxiliary contact assembly inreach of saidrecesses, and in circuit relation with one of the main contacts carriedby said base, each contact assembly including an angulate elementdisposed within the recess, and having a pivot seat intermediate itsends, a contact blade disposed for pivotal movement in said pivot seat,and means for displacing said blade into frictional contact with one ofsaid auxiliary contacts on said carrier.

3. In a remote control electromagnetic switch, a base of mouldedmaterial provided with spaced recesses therein, a movable contactcarrier, main and auxiliary contacts carried thereby, main con- ,tactson said base, and auxiliary contact assemblies in said recesses, and inmultiple circuit connection with said main contacts; each of saidauxiliary contact assemblies including a contact blade, a bladesupporting element provided with a pivot seat therefor intermediate itsends, and a biasing element tending to urge said contact blade intofrictional engagement with one of said auxiliary contacts ,on saidcarrier; said pivoted auxiliary contacts extending beyond the maincontacts on said base, to engage the companion auxiliary contacts onsaid base in advance of the engagement of the main contacts, as thecontact carrier is actuated toward switch closing position, whereby toprevent arcing and burning at the main contacts.

4. In a remote control electromagnetic switch, a base of mouldedmaterial provided with spaced recesses therein, a pivoted contactcarrier, main contacts on said base, and auxiliary contact assemblies insaid recesses, and in multiple circuit relation with said main contacts,each of said k auxiliary contacts including a contact blade, a

each thereof including an angulate contact element, a pivoted supporttherefor, and means extending between said pivoted support and a portionof said carrier, for biasing said contact toward its companion maincontact on said base, each of said pivoted main contact elements beingarranged to effect a wiping engagement with its companion contact onsaid base, upon the actuation of the carrier to switch-closed position.

5. In a remote control electromagnetic switch, a base of mouldedmaterial having an aperture and recesses therein, main contacts on saidbase,

auxiliary contacts pivotally seated in said recesses, and in multiplecircuit connection with said main contacts, a magnet frame securedwithin said base aperture, an armature and an annature frame pivotallymounted upon said magnet frame; a Contact carrier on said armatureframe,

main contact assemblies pivotally mounted on said carrier, and auxiliarycontacts ilxedly mounted on said carrier, said main contact assembliesincluding angulate contact blades arranged, upon actuation of saidarmature frame to switch closing position, to effect a wiping engagementwith the main contacts on said base, and said pivoted auxiliarycontactsbeing extended beyond the main contacts on said base to engage thecompanion auxiliary contacts on said carrier, in advance of theengagement of the main contacts, whereby to prevent arcing and burningof 'the main contacts upon switch closing and switch opening actuation.

6. In a remote 'control electromagnetic switch unit, a base of mouldedmaterial having an aperture and recesses therein, main contacts on saidbase, auxiliary contacts pivotally seated in said recesses, and inmultiple circuit connection with said main contacts, a magnet framesecured within said base aperture, an armature, and an armature framepivotally mounted upon said magnet frame; a contact carrier on saidarmature frame, main contact assemblies pivotally mounted on saidcarrier, and auxiliary contacts lixedly mounted on said carrier, each ofsaid main con tact assemblies including an angulate contact bladearranged, upon actuation of said armature frame to switch closingposition, to engage its companion main contact on its toe, and to beslidably brought into normal closed contact position, in which thecontact blade engages its companion contact on its heel portion; saidpivoted auxiliary contacts being extended beyond the main contacts onsaid base, to engage the companion auxiliary contacts on said carrier inadvance of the engagement of the main contacts,

whereby to prevent arcing and burning of thel main contacts upon reboundmovement of the contacts during switch closing action. c

7. In a remote control electromagnetic switch unit, a base of mouldedmaterial having an aperture and recesses therein, main contacts on saidbase, auxiliary contacts pivotally seated in y said recesses, and inmultiple circuit connection with said main contacts, a magnet framesecured .mounted on said carrier, and auxiliary contacts fixedly mountedon said carrier, each of said main contact assemblies including anangulate contact blade arranged, upon actuation of said armature frameto switch closing position, to engage its companion main contact on itstoe, and to beV slidably brought into normal closed contact position, inwhich the contact blade engages its companion contact on its heelportion; said pivoted auxiliary contacts being extended beyond the maincontacts on said base, to engage the companion auxiliary contacts onsaid carrier in advance of the engagement of the main contacts, wherebyto prevent arcing and burning of the main contacts upon rebound movementof the contacts during switch closing action.

8. In a remote control switch unit, a base of moulded insulatingmaterial having recesses therein, main contacts on said base, auxiliarycontacts pivotally seated in said recesses, and in multiple circuitconnection with said main contacts, a pivoted armature frame, a contactcarrier near one end of said frame; main contacts pivotally mounted onsaid carrier, auxiliary contacts xedly mounted on said carrier, and ailexible arm secured upon said base, and having a hook-like end arrangedto engage aportion of the armature frame to limit the outward movementof said frame, said arm also being adapted for manual actuation into aninoperative position with respect to said armature frame.v

FREDERICK B. ADAM.

